So, since the majority of you say "go for it", guess what I'm going to ask next.
Any suggested readings? What my girls are after is not a sci-fi, fantasy type novel, but rather a contemporary normal-to-life one. Of course it needs to have horses in it somewhere and high school. I have a basic idea, with my girls help, of how to start plotting, but I really should read a few books in this genre before I come up with the 2 to 4 page synopsis that gets me going. So any suggested readings for a contemporary, no sci-fi, no fantasy, YA novels that I should pick up and devour and study?
Some of you were so kind to send me your suggestions via email after my Monday's post. Thanks so much. I'm wondering if I'll see any repeated titles to help me get started by asking here too.
In other news:
Writing has halted for me this week with Sixteenth Birthday Planning, Christmas planning, Clothes dryer on the fritz which resulted in a huge reworking of the laundry room, so if you've noticed that my novel word counter hasn't changed, that's why. I'm brewing the ending in my mind as I clean, organize, bake and plan away. Now let's hope that snowball effect we talked about last week doesn't sweep me in and roll all over me, right!!!
Also, my girls are totally bummed. They really thought they'd have a snow day today with the snow and freezing rain we're getting, but alas, the school board feels they can bear it. Huge Bummer!
Surrendering to Him,
Eileen
16 Days until we widely celebrate Jesus's Birthday on Christmas Day around the World!
39 comments:
Well....I'm so glad you aksed!
I love Meg Cabot's YA, and Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series, and Melody Carlson and Lisa Samson. I could go on! LOL!
My daughter had the same disappointment last week- the snow flutters didn't board the school doors!
I'm glad you're going to try the YA! T. Anne did a post yesterday spotlighting Jenny B. Jones books- they are for young girls. I plan on picking one up for Christmas for my daughter.
I ditto Jenny B Jones, and (shameless blog plug) and giving away one of her books on my blog today and interviewing said author!
That is a bummer!
Two words for you, even though it's not YA: "The Shack". Remember, he started out just writing a story for his children! I'm excited for you, Eileen!
Well, I missed the original weigh-in, but a YA series like that sounds really refreshing. Something relatable, not fantastical. Best to you, Eileen! Stay warm.
The first Christian fiction books I read as a teenager were Robin Jones Gunn's Christy Miller series. LOVED them! In fact, I've been known to go back and read them as an adult. We're never too old, right? :-) Robin has written several other YA books, and I've loved them all.
Wow, a YA novel! Good luck getting started. I don't have much insight into this genre, so sorry I can't recommend any to read.
Maybe the time you've been involved with other chores is just what you need to let your current WIP sit and simmer a bit. Praying when you do get to write again, you do so refreshed and inspired.
Blessings! Kelli
Oh yea. My housework is backed up, I have three more final exams, and my son woke up with pink eye this morning! Fa la la la la....lol!
Eileen, have you ever heard of the Christian author, Christine Lynxwiler? She writes for Barbour. She is fantastic and I bet your girls would really enjoy her. I just finished Dream Chaser and I cried at the end. It takes a lot for a book to make me cry! There's another one that comes to mind that is also by her and is geared toward YA, Longing For Home. You can find her books at Lifeway, and sometimes even Walmart's inspirational section has her books. What I admire about Christine is her heart. I've had email conversations with her and I have so much respect for her, both as a writer and a strong woman for God. I highly recommend her.
Definitely Jenny B. Jones--she's my daughter's absolute favorite. Melody Carlson. Meg Cabot. I wish I had some suggestions that hadn't already been mentioned, but these are tops around here.
Wish you could take some of the snow off our hands! We'd gladly share.
I can't think of any normal YA fiction with horses, except for classics like "The Black Stallion" and "Black Beauty" and so on. I did like the movie Flicka!!
Eileen,
So glad you are going to consider the girls' request. After all, they are the joy of your heart!
No snow day here in Normal, either, though the wind is howling and it's five degrees!!
Blessings,
Patti
www.pattilacy.com/blog
Snow day for us today! You sound super busy... hope all goes smoothly for you. :O)
Yay! That's awesome! I would love to write a story for my children someday. I once wrote the first two pages of a fantasy-adventure two years ago. But that's it.
Can't wait to hear about your progress!
How about a YA that crosses genres, like Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants? Mothers AND daughters read it together to much acclaim!
Dandi Daley Macall's series Horse feathers! and Winnie the Horse Gentler.
I will have to give this some thought. Will let you know if anything strikes me! Will pray for your journey - for this and your other writing. Blessings! :)
Yay for trying a YA!
How about Me, Just Different by Stephanie Morrill. It's fabulous, and the sequel comes out next month.
OH MY! I totally 2nd Erica's suggestion! Stephanie's book is awesome, and we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of her 2nd book.
You know me, a SF/F girl. So I'm no help. I do wish you the best with your YA exploits, though. :-)
I agree with Jennifer Shirk's suggestions. You can't go wrong with those authors.
Same here - I loved F/SF as a child, and so I'm not very useful for suggestions. But I think it's wonderful to write for our daughters. I've had the same urge with middle grade fantasy for my daughter.
Hi Eileen -
Nancy Rue has a series out for tweens. (Sorry, I don't remember the name.) I purchased one last year for my niece, and she enjoyed it.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Good for you, Eileen! Many blessings on you as you start this venture.
I have no suggestions, other than praying, which I don't need to remind you of! Oops, ended with a prep.
LOL about the snow day!
I think your daughters will treasure the book you write for them. :-) As a teen, I loved the book My Friend Flicka.
We've had just a touch of snow today, but the high winds blew it all to Pennsylvania!
I haven't a clue about the YA. My girls are into the vampire stuff. But, as with any other book, you can draw from personal experience. Weren't you once in high school? Did you ever dream of having a horse?
Oh, oh... I just got an idea for a YA book!
What an amazing project you're going to take on. I know that you will grow so much as a writer and as a mom through this process.
My daughter reads so much from the fantasy genre, so I'm not much help.
I am looking forward to reading Jenny B. Jones's latest YA.
Eileen, good luck with this. It sounds to me like you are very excited. I can't wait to hear all about it. :)
Oh and there is going to be a blizzard on Christmas. That's what we hear anyway. Course it won't mean as much to your girls, since they'll be on Christmas vaca. :)
Well I haven't a single suggestion to offer regarding a reading list but I am pleased to hear you are going to give it a shot. I know your girls will cherish this for the rest of their lives.
--sorry to hear about the dryer.:-(
Hi Eileen,
Good for you - branching out to YA.
I have one suggestion. A Christian writer has a YA series out now. Her name is Shelley Adina. My daughter read her first one and liked it a lot. Basic storyline is a girl in a new high school trying to fit in.
Good luck!
Sue
PS. I know how you feel with being too busy to write! I'm trying to keep my head above water with everything Christmas and my hubby's birthday. Whew.
I used to be very into horses too :) Would the Saddle Club series by Bonnie Bryant work? Those girls were middle school or high school age, if I remember correctly, and dealt with a lot of friend/school/romance issues alongside their passion for horses. Good luck writing your novel! I'm sure your girls will love it :)
Go for it! You have the insider's scoop on teen girls--you're an expert! I don't read any YA now, so I can't recommend anything, but if you find a great read, please share!
Have a terrific day!
Try Janette Rallison for something light and funny, and Laurie Halse-Anderson for deep and realistic. They're both awesome writers. And keep us posted on your progress!
Try Janette Rallison for something light and funny, and Laurie Halse-Anderson for deep and realistic. They're both awesome writers. And keep us posted on your progress!
Though a bit younger than YA, Laurainne Snelling has a series about girls and horses called High Hurdles. The series improves with each book especially by book 4. I would love to find some Christian YA (or even adult) books that have a horsey theme - so let us know if you find any!
My vote is a mystery maybe the setting...at school where one of the main characters "falls in love" with a new kid. He is handsome, smart and athletic. And come to find out he works after school at the stable that houses the sisters horses becuzzzz he loves horses. But the other main character, the other sister thinks there is something shady about him. He is too mysterious, but there are reasons. A little tiff comes between the sisters, but of course sisterly love always wins out.
Ta Da!! It's all yours. :)
wow....i've missed out on a lot! YA, huh? that's great! and what great motivation you have to do so...to make sure your girls are reading good, wholesome stuff. :) good for you.
i've tagged you on my blog tomorrow, so be sure to stop by and check it out! :)
jeannie
Hi Eileen!
That's so WONDERFUL that you're going to try writing in a different genre! I plan to do that soon, too, after I complete my middle-grade historical novel. I have ideas for a chapter book and a YA title later down the line.
Yes, I think, too, the best thing to do is to read books in that genre . . . I can't think of any YA horse titles but a rlatively new author by the name of JESSICA BURKHART has a middle grade (tween?) horse series out now called Canterwood Crest. The first title, TAKE THE REINS, seems to have gotten pretty good reviews on amazon. The author is in her early twenties and is a former equestrian. She also has a website & a blog. Hope this information helps, Eileen!
Also, thanks so much for visiting my blog . . . your comment was VERY ENCOURAGING!
Hmmmm, contemporary reads? Lisa Samson's Quaker Summer. Think you might like that.
Post a Comment